With the rise of women suffragists in the mid-19th century came the later rise of the anti-suffragists. Surprisingly, however, many of those who opposed women's suffrage were women themselves. In fact, in a letter written to the editor of the New York Times in 1873, a woman asserted that "for every woman who desires to vote, there are ten [at least] who do not wish to do so" (quoted. at Björnlund 80). But with so much opposition, why did the anti-suffragists lose this battle? It all depended on their tactics. While the anti-suffragists were genteel and dignified in their approach, a method consistent with the nature of women (Marshall 352), the suffragists were more radical and militant. Although diametrically opposed in their strategies, it was essentially the suffragettes' extremist approach that ultimately resulted in the ratification of the 19th Amendment. One of the central ideas of the anti-suffrage argument was that women should remain within the prescribed domestic sphere (Bjornlund 80). However, campaigning against suffrage would require their entry into the public sphere, thus contradicting their very argument (Marshall 352). As a result, anti-suffragists were forced to fight this battle through different means. They had to communicate their message through writing and visual representations rather than through speech. Although plays are generally considered a form of entertainment, with the rise of the anti-suffrage movement they also had a practical use. Anti-suffragists took up their pens and began to compose theatrical works of propaganda. The most important play at the time was a play called The Spirit of the Seventy-Six. In 1868, Ariana and Daniel Curtis wrote this play as a hypothetical role reversal in the middle of a paper......during a 22-day hunger strike. However, during this time, doctors tortured and force-fed her. When journalists published stories about her situation and that of many others who followed in her footsteps, the public was outraged and "the women received widespread sympathy from the public and politicians" (18). Although militant in her tactics, Alice Paul accomplished what she set out to do: attract public attention by any means necessary. In order to ratify the 19th Amendment, granting women the right to vote, lawmakers needed to know both sides of the suffrage argument. . With anti-suffragettes primarily communicating their message through subtle means such as plays, magazines, and specific colored clothing, it is not surprising that the suffragettes' radical public protests were more successful in raising awareness and awareness. light their cause..